Latest Activityhttp://ec.europa.eu/information_society/newsroom/cf/generaterss.cfm?t=03/03/201311:38:26&amp;tpa_id=118&amp;pr=1&amp;item_time=na
Latest newsen-gbEuropean Commissioncnect-editor-nr@ec.europa.eucnect-editor-nr@ec.europa.eu30May infringements package: main decisionshttps://ec.europa.eu/digital-agenda/news-redirect/10884
In its monthly package of infringement decisions, the European Commission is pursuing legal action against Member States for failing to comply properly with their obligations under EU law. These decisions covering many sectors aim at ensuring proper application of EU law for the benefit of citizens and businesses.Thu, 30 May 2013 10:00:00 GMThttps://ec.europa.eu/digital-agenda/news-redirect/10884Commission refers Estonia to EU Court of Justice over independence of national telecoms regulatorhttps://ec.europa.eu/digital-agenda/news-redirect/10883
The European Commission has decided to refer Estonia to the Court of Justice of the EU over its national law which does not guarantee the impartiality of the national telecoms regulator. According to EU telecoms rules, national authorities exercising regulatory tasks cannot at the same time be involved in the ownership or control of telecoms companies.Thu, 30 May 2013 10:00:00 GMThttps://ec.europa.eu/digital-agenda/news-redirect/10883Less digging = more broadband. What does this mean for …https://ec.europa.eu/digital-agenda/news-redirect/10073
The European Commission wants European citizens and businesses to have access to Internet of at 30 Mbps and that at least 50% of European households subscribe to Internet connections above 100 Mbps by 2020.
In 2013 the Commission is rolling-out a 10 point broadband plan to achieve this, which will be built in the summer on by a full blueprint for a single market for ICT.Tue, 26 Mar 2013 10:26:00 GMThttps://ec.europa.eu/digital-agenda/news-redirect/10073Less digging = cheaper broadband. Commission proposes rules to cut broadband installation costshttps://ec.europa.eu/digital-agenda/news-redirect/10070
The European Commission today proposed new rules to cut by 30% the cost of rolling out high-speed Internet. Civil engineering, such as the digging up of roads to lay down fibre, accounts for up to 80% of the cost of deploying high-speed networks. Today's proposal may save companies €40 to 60 billion.Tue, 26 Mar 2013 10:22:00 GMThttps://ec.europa.eu/digital-agenda/news-redirect/10070Telecoms Regulatory body (BEREC) issues opinion on proposed rules for enhancing high speed internet roll-out – Statement from Vice President Neelie Kroeshttps://ec.europa.eu/digital-agenda/news-redirect/9862
I am very happy that BEREC (Body of European Regulators of Electronic Communications) has given a positive opinion on our draft Recommendation on non-discrimination obligations and costing methodology for regulated wholesale network access. BEREC fully supports our overarching objective to encourage high-speed internet investment across Europe and our strategic objective of ensuring predictable and stable access copper prices, effective non-discrimination obligations that sustain competition, and pricing flexibility for such services to meet demand. Predictable and consistent rules which contribute to a competitive EU single telecoms market are what market players and investors need for long-term planning. We will take account of BEREC's constructive opinion and work closely together to ensure that we deliver a pro-competitive, pro-investment regulatory environment. I am confident that industry will respond positively and invest.Mon, 11 Mar 2013 16:01:00 GMThttps://ec.europa.eu/digital-agenda/news-redirect/9862February infringements package: main decisionshttps://ec.europa.eu/digital-agenda/news-redirect/9745
In its monthly package of infringement decisions, the European Commission is pursuing legal action against Member States for failing to comply properly with their obligations under EU law. These decisions covering many sectors aim at ensuring proper application of EU law for the benefit of citizens and businesses.Thu, 21 Feb 2013 15:18:00 GMThttps://ec.europa.eu/digital-agenda/news-redirect/9745European Commission questions Italian telecoms proposal to regulate rates for fixed termination serviceshttps://ec.europa.eu/digital-agenda/news-redirect/9617
The European Commission has called a halt to the plans of the Italian telecoms regulator (AGCOM) regarding termination rates which would negatively affect consumers in Italy as well as operators in other Member States.Thu, 07 Feb 2013 16:09:00 GMThttps://ec.europa.eu/digital-agenda/news-redirect/9617No change to telecoms and internet governance - EU Member States amongst dozens not signing proposed new International Telecommunications Regulations (ITR) Treaty, remain 100% committed to open internethttps://ec.europa.eu/digital-agenda/news-redirect/9272
Delegates from the 193 member countries of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) have concluded the "World Conference on International Telecommunications" (WCIT) conference in Dubai. Negotiations to review the International Telecommunications Regulations (ITRs) failed to reach consensus agreement.Fri, 14 Dec 2012 16:07:00 GMThttps://ec.europa.eu/digital-agenda/news-redirect/9272European Commission raises serious doubts over contradictory Polish proposal on broadband markethttps://ec.europa.eu/digital-agenda/news-redirect/9179
The European Commission has expressed serious doubts over plans by the Polish telecoms regulator UKE to deregulate part of the Polish wholesale broadband access market. UKE's proposal is based on an out-dated market assessment from March 2011. Moreover, the proposal contradicts a more recent market analysis dating from March 2012 where UKE concluded that no single area was competitive enough in Poland to propose complete deregulation. The Commission has therefore suspended UKE's plans and started a two month in-depth investigation.Tue, 11 Dec 2012 10:22:00 GMThttps://ec.europa.eu/digital-agenda/news-redirect/9179Commission suspends Czech proposal to regulate wholesale termination rateshttps://ec.europa.eu/digital-agenda/news-redirect/9177
The European Commission has expressed serious doubts about a new proposal from the Czech telecoms regulator (ČTÚ) regarding termination rates which would negatively affect consumers in the Czech Republic. The prices proposed by ČTÚ for certain termination services are twice as high as prices in other countries where proper price setting methodologies are applied. ČTÚ has imposed wholesale prices which do not take into consideration next-generation-network based efficient technologies. Termination rates are the rates telecoms networks charge each other to deliver calls between networks, and each operator has market power over access to customers on its own network. These costs are ultimately included in call prices paid by consumers and businesses.Tue, 11 Dec 2012 10:20:00 GMThttps://ec.europa.eu/digital-agenda/news-redirect/9177Commission clears UK umbrella support scheme for broadband investment "BDUK"https://ec.europa.eu/digital-agenda/news-redirect/8996
The European Commission has found that a UK umbrella support scheme for investments in next generation access (NGA) broadband networks, 'BDUK', is in line with EU state aid rules. In particular, the scheme is aimed at supporting local projects in rural and remote areas, where such networks would unlikely be developed on commercial terms.Tue, 20 Nov 2012 10:00:00 GMThttps://ec.europa.eu/digital-agenda/news-redirect/8996Commission Decision paves the way for 4G in Europehttps://ec.europa.eu/digital-agenda/news-redirect/8902
The European Commission has today decided to add another 120 MHz to the radio spectrum portfolio for 4G technologies, such as LTE (Long Term Evolution), around the 2 GHz band. This band is currently solely used for UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) wireless communications, known as 3G networks. The Decision makes it mandatory for Member States to open the relevant spectrum by 30 June 2014 at the latest, and lays down harmonised technical conditions to allow coexistence between different technologies. On this basis the EU will enjoy up to twice the amount of spectrum for high speed wireless broadband as in the United States, namely around 1000 MHz.Mon, 05 Nov 2012 08:49:00 GMThttps://ec.europa.eu/digital-agenda/news-redirect/8902Commission asks Finnish telecoms regulator to improve access conditions to fibre networkhttps://ec.europa.eu/digital-agenda/news-redirect/8815
The European Commission has called on the Finnish telecoms regulator (FICORA) to amend or withdraw its proposal on regulated access to dominant operators' broadband networks. If implemented, FICORA's plans would damage competition and hamper investment in competitive broadband services. This could limit current and future offers available to consumers and businesses. This is the third time that the Commission has issued a formal recommendation under Article 7a of the Telecoms Directive.Thu, 18 Oct 2012 10:38:00 GMThttps://ec.europa.eu/digital-agenda/news-redirect/8815Commission consults on telecoms markets Recommendationhttps://ec.europa.eu/digital-agenda/news-redirect/8798
The European Commission has launched a public consultation with a view to updating the current list of relevant wholesale and retail telecoms markets subject to the Commission's "Article 7" procedure under EU telecoms rules. These markets include retail access to the public telephone network and wholesale broadband access. Having a list of relevant markets helps National Regulatory Authorities (NRAs) regulate their markets in a coordinated manner. The review will take into account major market and technological developments, such as internet-based applications and services, the convergence between different types of networks and services and the development of very fast internet networks and services. Based on its results, the Commission will then revise the current Recommendation on Relevant Markets which was last updated in 2007. The Commission invites interested parties to respond to the consultation by 8th January 2013.Tue, 16 Oct 2012 10:07:00 GMThttps://ec.europa.eu/digital-agenda/news-redirect/8798Major banks, telecoms companies and governments join forces in EU-wide cyberattack exercisehttps://ec.europa.eu/digital-agenda/news-redirect/8653
Hundreds of cyber security experts from across the EU are testing their readiness to combat cyber-attacks in a day-long simulation across Europe today. In Cyber Europe 2012, 400 experts from major financial institutions, telecoms companies, internet service providers and local and national governments across Europe are facing more than 1200 separate cyber incidents (including more than 30 000 emails) during a simulated distributed denial of service (DDoS) campaign. The exercise is testing how they would respond and co-operate in the event of sustained attacks against the public websites and computer systems of major European banks. If real, such an attack would cause massive disruption for millions of citizens and businesses across Europe, and millions of euros of damage to the EU economy.Thu, 04 Oct 2012 14:18:00 GMThttps://ec.europa.eu/digital-agenda/news-redirect/8653'Connecting Europe' – business leaders and policy-makers strongly support the Commission's 50 billion plan for strategic infrastructure investment in transport, energy and internethttps://ec.europa.eu/digital-agenda/news-redirect/8600
At a high-level conference in Brussels, business leaders and policy-makers strongly supported the creation of a Connecting Europe Facility as proposed by the European Commission for the European Union's new financing period 2014-2020. With up to 50 billion euros the Connecting Europe Facility could become a key instrument for targeted infrastructure investment at European level to ensure the smooth functioning of the Single Market and boost sustainable growth, jobs and competitiveness across the European Union.Tue, 02 Oct 2012 16:49:00 GMThttps://ec.europa.eu/digital-agenda/news-redirect/8600Unleashing the Potential of Cloud Computing in Europe - What is it and what does it mean for me?https://ec.europa.eu/digital-agenda/news-redirect/8580
Frequently Asked Questions on Cloud computing and the European Cloud Partnership (ECP)Thu, 27 Sep 2012 10:15:00 GMThttps://ec.europa.eu/digital-agenda/news-redirect/8580New strategy to drive European business and government productivity via cloud computinghttps://ec.europa.eu/digital-agenda/news-redirect/8575
The European Commission's new strategy for "Unleashing the potential of cloud computing in Europe" outlines actions to deliver a net gain of 2.5 million new European jobs, and an annual boost of EUR 160 billion to EU GDP (around 1%), by 2020. The strategy is designed to speed up and increase the use of cloud computing across the economy. 'Cloud computing' refers to the storage of data (such as text files, pictures and video) and software on remote computers, which users access over the internet on the device of their choice. This is faster, cheaper, more flexible and potentially more secure than on-site IT solutions. Many popular services such as Facebook, Spotify and web-based email use cloud computing technologies but the real economic benefits come through widespread use of cloud solutions by businesses and the public sector.Thu, 27 Sep 2012 08:28:00 GMThttps://ec.europa.eu/digital-agenda/news-redirect/8575Maximising radio spectrum efficiency by sharing ithttps://ec.europa.eu/digital-agenda/news-redirect/8466
In its Communication on "Promoting the shared use of radio spectrum resources in the internal market" the Commission pushes and supports Member States to move to an enhanced innovation-friendly internal market framework for the shared use of spectrum. Meeting the growing spectrum needs resulting from the exponential growth in wireless data traffic and the increasing importance of wireless connectivity in the economy, is limited by the absence of vacant spectrum. However, the radio spectrum is a unique resource that can be re-used more efficiently with advances in technologies. This makes additional spectrum resources available and lowers the spectrum access hurdles for new users. To cope with the demand and to attract investments into new technologies, the EU needs a supportive regulatory framework that enables legally binding spectrum sharing contracts between users to encourage wireless innovation in the internal market.Mon, 03 Sep 2012 10:06:00 GMThttps://ec.europa.eu/digital-agenda/news-redirect/8466Commission moves to foster wireless innovation through sharing of radio spectrumhttps://ec.europa.eu/digital-agenda/news-redirect/8465
The European Commission today unveiled plans to deal with the exponential growth in mobile and wireless data traffic by enabling wireless technologies, including broadband, to share the use of the radio spectrum. With new technologies it is possible to share radio spectrum amongst several users – such as internet providers – or use the spectrum available between TV frequencies, for example, for other purposes. National spectrum regulation often does not reflect the new technical possibilities, leaving mobile and broadband users at risk of poor service as demand grows, and preventing a single market for investment in such communications markets. A coordinated European approach to sharing spectrum will lead to greater mobile network capacity, cheaper wireless broadband, and new markets such as tradable secondary rights for a given spectrum allocation.Mon, 03 Sep 2012 10:04:00 GMThttps://ec.europa.eu/digital-agenda/news-redirect/8465Commission suspends Latvian proposal to uphold excessive level of wholesale rates for fixed telephony and starts an in-depth reviewhttps://ec.europa.eu/digital-agenda/news-redirect/8362
The European Commission has expressed serious doubts about a new proposal from the Latvian telecoms regulator (SPRK) regarding fixed termination rates which would negatively affect consumers in Latvia. Termination rates are the rates telecoms networks charge each other to deliver calls between networks, and each operator has market power over access to customers on its own network. These costs are ultimately included in call prices paid by consumers and businesses.Mon, 13 Aug 2012 17:20:00 GMThttps://ec.europa.eu/digital-agenda/news-redirect/8362Commission rules against Czech regulator's plans to regulate access to its broadband networkshttps://ec.europa.eu/digital-agenda/news-redirect/8361
The European Commission has ruled that the Czech telecoms regulator (ČTÚ) must withdraw its plans to include wholesale broadband services based on cable and Wi-Fi platforms into its definition of the wholesale broadband access product market.Mon, 13 Aug 2012 15:41:00 GMThttps://ec.europa.eu/digital-agenda/news-redirect/8361Commission opens public consultation on preservation of the open internet (net neutrality)https://ec.europa.eu/digital-agenda/news-redirect/8329
The European Commission is today launching a public consultation seeking answers to questions on transparency, switching and certain aspects of internet traffic management, with a view to its commitment to preserve the open and neutral character of the Internet.
These questions have emerged as key issues in the "net neutrality" debate that has taken place in Europe over the past years, including the recent findings of the Body of European Regulators of European Communications (BEREC).
Input is sought from all interested public and private parties, including fixed and mobile internet service providers, Internet content and application providers (including comparison websites), equipment manufacturers, transit providers, investors, public authorities, consumers and their associations. The responses to this consultation will be crucial input for the Commission's planned recommendations announced by European Commission Vice President Neelie Kroes on 29 May 2012.Mon, 23 Jul 2012 10:09:00 GMThttps://ec.europa.eu/digital-agenda/news-redirect/8329Commission consults on a future EU Network and Information Security legislative initiativehttps://ec.europa.eu/digital-agenda/news-redirect/8328
The European Commission is seeking the views of governments, businesses, citizens about their experiences and EU possible responses to cyber incidents which cause disruption to essential Network and Information Systems (NIS), including the internet. The Commission has launched this consultation to help it prepare a legislative proposal on network and information security, which will be an important element of the upcoming EU strategy on Cyber security. Feedback received will help the Commission draw up an approach to possible future risk management and security breach reporting requirements that would affect businesses in particular. The consultation runs until 12 October 2012.Mon, 23 Jul 2012 10:05:00 GMThttps://ec.europa.eu/digital-agenda/news-redirect/8328Digital Agenda: Wave goodbye to mobile internet rip-offs from 1 July; voice and SMS prices to fall alsohttps://ec.europa.eu/digital-agenda/news-redirect/8245
From 1 July 2012, using mobile internet to access maps, videos, photos, social networks and email will be much cheaper while travelling in other EU member states. A new EU regulation means that, for the first time, there will be a maximum charge for "data roaming" - downloading data from the internet when using a mobile connection. The data roaming rules will mean savings of over €1000 per year for a typical businessperson travelling in the EU. A family taking an annual holiday in another EU country can expect to save at least €200. The new rules will also cut the maximum prices for voice calls and texts.Thu, 28 Jun 2012 10:07:00 GMThttps://ec.europa.eu/digital-agenda/news-redirect/8245